Zoo-bred lynx could be first released into wild

A lynx kitten born in Cornwall has become the UK's first zoo-bred cat to be selected as a potential candidate to be released into the wild.

Newquay Zoo's Carpathian lynx kitten, born on 29 May 2024, has been chosen by Europe's Linking Lynx rewilding conservation programme.

The initiative aims to maintain a healthy population of reintroduced cats in Europe's mountain ranges, from the Carpathian Mountains to the Alps.

John Meek, curator of plants and animals at Newquay Zoo, said: "Her selection as a potential candidate for this programme validates our commitment to maintaining the highest standards of animal care and wildlife conservation."

The lynx will have to pass examinations and be relocated to a rewilding facility in Germany, where she will spend time in a semi-wild environment.

The transitional period allows the cat to develop the skills necessary for survival in the wild.

If she does well during this preparation period, she will be released into the wild.

Dina Gebhardt is an expert on Eurasian lynxes for the European Endangered Species Programmes (EEP).

She said: "Now that the Carpathian lynx EEP is part of several in situ projects in Europe, the demand for offspring – especially females – has risen considerably.

"The goal is not only to keep the ex situ population genetically diverse and healthy, but also to provide individuals to introduce into the wild.

"For that, we need professional scientific led zoos that follow the Linking Lynx protocols conscientiously."

The Wild Planet Trust which runs the zoo said collaborations demonstrated how local conservation centres could play a crucial role in international wildlife preservation efforts.

Dr Kathy Baker, trust research officer said: "We are a charity, and every person who visits our zoos is directly contributing towards programmes like this that could help restore wildlife populations around the world.

"Our organisational mission is to help halt species decline, and this is a fantastic example of the work we are doing to enable us to achieve this goal."

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